A Multiscale Framework for Sustainable Management of Tufa-Forming Watercourses: A Case Study of National Park “Krka”, Croatia

Tufa sedimentary systems are sensitive fluvial landscapes subject to various external disturbances. Tufa landscape degradation reflected in negative hydrological changes and a decrease in the intensity of the tufa formation process have been detected in National Park Krka (Croatia). The main causes...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ante Šiljeg, Ivan Marić, Neven Cukrov, Fran Domazetović, Vlatko Roland
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-11-01
Series:Water
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/12/11/3096
Description
Summary:Tufa sedimentary systems are sensitive fluvial landscapes subject to various external disturbances. Tufa landscape degradation reflected in negative hydrological changes and a decrease in the intensity of the tufa formation process have been detected in National Park Krka (Croatia). The main causes were recognized in the uncontrolled spread of invasive vegetation (<i>Ailanthus altissima</i>) and increased anthropogenic influence. Therefore, the Park administration launched the project, Management and Maintenance of Macro-Vegetation at Skradinski Buk (SB)—Development of a Multicriteria Model for Sustainable Management. The methodological framework was divided into three scales of research. The macro-scale research comprised a set of activities aimed at selecting the most suitable test surface within a wider area of the Skradinski Buk (SB) waterfall. The meso-scale research involved mapping the reference and final state of the vegetation and hydrological network after the removal of invasive vegetation and mitigation of negative anthropogenic impact. At the micro-scale, a monitoring system was established to track the quality of the tufa sedimentary system. Special emphasis was placed on the measurement of tufa formation dynamics (TFD) on limestone plates using a new methodological approach based on structure from motion (SfM) photogrammetry. Implementation of the proposed multiscale framework resulted in reactivation of tufa-forming watercourses, prevention of invasive vegetation regeneration and achievement of sustainable conditions for the tufa formation process. In reactivated watercourses, the average tufa growth rate was 4.267 mm a<sup>−1</sup> (n = 18). Potential users of this framework include local authorities and administrators of protected areas.
ISSN:2073-4441